Assembly Bill 835 – which increases the sparsity aid per student – was signed into law Monday by Governor Walker. Beginning in 2019, the bill increases the sparsity aid per pupil amount from $300 to $400. Under the bill, the appropriation for sparsity aid would be increased by $6.5 million in 2019. Sparsity aid increases were vetoed by the governor in the 2017-19 state budget, but he has since changed his position.

The bill will also increase the revenue limit ceiling for school districts to $9,400 in the 2018-19 school year, with the ceiling increasing by $100 each year until it reaches $9,800 in the 2022-23 school year. The current revenue limit ceiling is $9,100.

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MADISON – Wisconsin schools with small budgets or rural locations could get additional funding, under legislation signed by Gov. Scott Walker. The Republican governor also said Monday that he wants the state to provide additional money to improve safety in schools in the same way the federal government helped improve safety in airports.

Recent GBEA News

In her latest Spotlight on Locals column, WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen highlights the Green Bay Education Association, whose success is rooted in efforts to reach out to members and potential members and help them learn and grow as both educators and as union leaders. Programs include Emerging Voices, Early Career Learning Labs, Early Career Leadership Fellowship and National Board Certification support. “The greatest strength of the GBEA is that our members understand the value of unions — locally, statewide, and nationwide,” says GBEA Treasurer Dan Gage.

WEAC News

With the latest round of state campaign finance reports in, backers of the private school voucher program have larded the campaign accounts of politicians willing to do their bidding with $7.5 million in campaign contributions since 2008. Leading the pack, and hauling in more than 1 of every 4 dollars donated, is Governor Scott Walker with a total take in excess of $2.165 million. “The people writing these checks want to see more private school vouchers,” said One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Scot Ross. “Scott Walker has more than delivered, draining resources away from public K-12 schools and sending them to the less accountable private voucher schools favored by the donors who’ve dumped over $2 million into his campaign coffers.”

The WEAC Board of Directors has concurred with the Political Action Committee’s recommendation of Sarah Godlewski for the Wisconsin State Treasurer constitutional office position. These recommendations are based upon the WEAC PAC screening all candidates who agreed to meet with the committee. The primary election is August 14, and the general election is November 6.